You must write novels only for the Christian market. That is how you will gain a following. If you try to please too many people you will end up pleasing noone. References :
If you find yourself pondering in regards to your own story, ponder this: What is the point of your novel? What is the reason for its existence? Is there any edification going on? Any evangelizing? Did you simply want to tell an entertaining story?
It’s okay to write a novel for that one and only purpose, to entertain your audience. That’s what 90% of all novelists do. That’s why people read novels in the first place. As Christian novelists writing for a Christian audience, we want to entertain the Christian community. It’s okay to want to be entertained.
But would the rest of the world also be entertained by your novel? Would they be challenged to consider or reconsider their faith?
Would they be convicted of their sins? Would they only be entertained? If non-believers read your Christian novel and are not challenged, outraged, disgusted, or convicted, then you have not written a Christian novel. You’ve written a G-rated novel.
But can a novel entertain, yet still evangelize and edify at the same time? This, in my opinion, is what defines a Christian novel.
It is what sets Christian novelists apart from other novelists. Other novelists only care about entertaining their readers.
We, as believers, know we have a higher responsibility, and that is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ as hope and salvation for ALL.
We should not be satisfied by simply telling an entertaining tale.
The Christian novels we write must first and foremost glorify the Lord God of Heaven and Earth and His Risen Son, Jesus. It must make a difference in the world.
It must be a tool that God can use to change lives. Christian novels must also uplift and encourage fellow believers. It must edify them. Christian novels must also present the Father God to non-believers. Yes, it must evangelize. And, no, this does not mean your characters must preach the Gospel on every page.
We have our work cut out for us. God has given us a huge responsibility to go along with the story He has given us to tell. Our stories must lift up the name of the Lord Jesus, lift up the hearts of believers, and lift up the eyes of non-believers to the Father. And, don’t forget, our stories must also entertain.
If we compromise and steer away from any of these three things, we tend to write G-rated novels:
good, clean, safe stories devoid of gratuitous sex, violence, offensive language, and the like. G-rated novels are good. The world needs more G-rated novels.But in a G-rated novel, no one is edified. No one is evangelized. And personally, I think that is a shame.
When we step away from writing novels that openly glorify and honor Jesus, I think we step away from the concept of writing a Christian novel, and from having our novel make a true difference in the world. Even the most highly entertaining novels are quickly forgotten. When God reaches into the heart of a reader because of what is written in a story, that Heavenly Touch remains forever.
What is the final point to ponder?
Ask yourself: If I take out all the "Christian" parts of my story, do I still have a story left to tell? If I take out all the "Christian" parts, do I now have a story that will work in the general market? If you answer yes to either question, your story isn’t a Christian story at all.It’s one of those G-rated ones.
If you take out the "Christian" parts of a true work of Christian fiction, the story will collapse. The "Christian" parts are as vital as plot, characterization, dialogue, and setting. Don’t take them out. Bolster them. Give God every chance to touch your reader’s heart. His touch will cause your story to stay with your reader . . . forever. References : http://www.donnafleisher.com/christiannovel.html
November 20th, 2009 | 
Author: 
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You must write novels only for the Christian market. That is how you will gain a following. If you try to please too many people you will end up pleasing noone.
References :
Tips from Donna Fleisher:
If you find yourself pondering in regards to your own story, ponder this: What is the point of your novel? What is the reason for its existence? Is there any edification going on? Any evangelizing? Did you simply want to tell an entertaining story?
It’s okay to write a novel for that one and only purpose, to entertain your audience. That’s what 90% of all novelists do. That’s why people read novels in the first place. As Christian novelists writing for a Christian audience, we want to entertain the Christian community. It’s okay to want to be entertained.
But would the rest of the world also be entertained by your novel? Would they be challenged to consider or reconsider their faith?
Would they be convicted of their sins? Would they only be entertained? If non-believers read your Christian novel and are not challenged, outraged, disgusted, or convicted, then you have not written a Christian novel. You’ve written a G-rated novel.
But can a novel entertain, yet still evangelize and edify at the same time? This, in my opinion, is what defines a Christian novel.
It is what sets Christian novelists apart from other novelists. Other novelists only care about entertaining their readers.
We, as believers, know we have a higher responsibility, and that is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ as hope and salvation for ALL.
We should not be satisfied by simply telling an entertaining tale.
The Christian novels we write must first and foremost glorify the Lord God of Heaven and Earth and His Risen Son, Jesus. It must make a difference in the world.
It must be a tool that God can use to change lives. Christian novels must also uplift and encourage fellow believers. It must edify them. Christian novels must also present the Father God to non-believers. Yes, it must evangelize. And, no, this does not mean your characters must preach the Gospel on every page.
We have our work cut out for us. God has given us a huge responsibility to go along with the story He has given us to tell. Our stories must lift up the name of the Lord Jesus, lift up the hearts of believers, and lift up the eyes of non-believers to the Father. And, don’t forget, our stories must also entertain.
If we compromise and steer away from any of these three things, we tend to write G-rated novels:
good, clean, safe stories devoid of gratuitous sex, violence, offensive language, and the like. G-rated novels are good. The world needs more G-rated novels.But in a G-rated novel, no one is edified. No one is evangelized. And personally, I think that is a shame.
When we step away from writing novels that openly glorify and honor Jesus, I think we step away from the concept of writing a Christian novel, and from having our novel make a true difference in the world. Even the most highly entertaining novels are quickly forgotten. When God reaches into the heart of a reader because of what is written in a story, that Heavenly Touch remains forever.
What is the final point to ponder?
Ask yourself: If I take out all the "Christian" parts of my story, do I still have a story left to tell? If I take out all the "Christian" parts, do I now have a story that will work in the general market? If you answer yes to either question, your story isn’t a Christian story at all.It’s one of those G-rated ones.
If you take out the "Christian" parts of a true work of Christian fiction, the story will collapse. The "Christian" parts are as vital as plot, characterization, dialogue, and setting. Don’t take them out. Bolster them. Give God every chance to touch your reader’s heart. His touch will cause your story to stay with your reader . . . forever.
References :
http://www.donnafleisher.com/christiannovel.html